Portable camping unit

ABSTRACT

A portable camping unit which can be collapsed into a small compact package carried on the roof of a vehicle, and when assembled, can be self supporting away from the vehicle for use as a tent like structure.

II llmted States Patent [151 3,661 A 1 8 Stewart May 9, 1972 [54] PORTABLE CAMPING UNIT [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Ray S. Stewart, Waukegan, Ill. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Assignefir Willard C. Rogers, hawndale, Calif- 2,710,977 6/1955 Fannin ..296/23 x 2,907,077 l0/l959 Pugsley... ..52/66 X l 7 [22] Med Oct 9 0 3,255,768 6/1966 Lowe ..296/23 x [21] Appl. No.: 83,225

Primary Examiner-Philip Goodman Related Apphcatmn Dam AnorneyHarris, Kiech, Russell & Kern 63 S b t't t f S .N .771,87l,0ct.30,1968, ba u s 1 u e or er 0 a n [57] ABSTRACT doned.

A portable camping unit which can be collapsed into a small [52] US. Cl. ..296/23 MC, l35/l A compact package Carried on the roof f a Vehicle and when [51 Int. Cl ..B60p 3/34 assembled, can be self Supporting away f the vehicle far [58] Field of Search ..296/23, 26, 27, 23 MC; use as a tent like Strucmm 135/1 A-S A; 52/64, 66, 67, 29

1 Claim, 12 Drawing Figures PORTABLE CAMPING UNIT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a substitute for my application Ser. No. 771,87 l filed Oct. 30, 1968, and now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My unit is formed of plastic glass assembled in such manner as to be collapsible. When unfolded, my unit contains four sturdy sides with a window in one, two or three sides and a door in the fourth. Within these four sides which serve as walls are a plurality of beds, butane light, dinner table and a floor. The remainder of the unit serves as a roof. The unit is waterproof and watertight.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of my unit in collapsed form as mounted on a vehicle;

FIG. 2 illustrates the method of collapsing or assembling a wall of the unit;

FIG. 3 shows a support member for my unit;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the first two steps in the unfolding of my unit from collapsed position;

FIG. 6 illustrates my unit with two end walls in vertical position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of my unit in partially assembled position;

FIG. 8 shows my unit fully assembled;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view of two members hingedly secured together;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8;

' FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken at right angles to that of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail view of the unit in assembled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 12, a flat horizontal rectangularly shaped container 10 is adapted to be carried on top of a vehicle 12. The bottom front edge of the container is provided with a transverse flat member 14 secured to the roof of the vehicle detachably by suction cups 16 on its lower side. The rear of the container extends beyond the roof but hinge bars 18 support the container by extending between same and the rear bumper 20 of the vehicle.

The bottom surface of the container has an opening through which the collapsed side walls 22 with windows 24 and the collapsed end walls 26, one wall 26 having a window 24, the other wall 26 having a door 28, can be unfolded. Horizontal members 30 are each hingedly secured to an edge of wall 26 by hinges 32 and abut to form a floor. The side and end walls are hingedly secured to the container. Chairs 34, table 36 and one or more beds 38 are likewise folded therein. Two rear mounted leg blocks 40 are hingedly secured at the rear of the container.

When ready for use, the leg blocks are swung down and the hinge bars lower the rear of the camper until the legs touch ground, and the container can then be pulled rearward to support the container horizontally. The side and end walls are then pulled down and the beds, chairs and table moved into place. The sides are brought together to complete the assembly. Bars 18 act as structural supports.

The unit can be disassembled and refolded into collapsed form by reversing the steps.

Thus, I provide a compact camper that makes a spur-ofthe-moment" decision to go camping a reality; it provides the comfort of a trailer without the expense thereof and without special licenses; and it can be assembled or collapsed by one man without assistance.

ile I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawing, such is not be be considered as limiting its actual scope, which is set forth in the following claim:

I claim as my invention:

1. A portable camping unit comprising:

a. a hollow horizontally elongated rectangularly shaped container;

b. means disposed at the front end of the container to secure same to the roof of a vehicle;

c. first and second hinge bars, each bar being secured at one end to a corresponding side of the container, the opposite ends of both bars being adapted to be detachably secured to the rear of the vehicle;

d. said container having an opening at the bottom surface thereof;

e. said container having hingedly secured therein a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, all of said walls when unfolded through said opening extending vertically and being connected together to form the walls of an assembled camper; and

f. two flat members hingedly secured to opposite ones of said walls, whereby said members can be butted together to form a floor for said camper.

t a l= 

1. A portable camping unit comprising: a. a hollow horizontally elongated rectangularly shaped container; b. means disposed at the front end of the container to secure same to the roof of a vehicle; c. first and second hinge bars, each bar being secured at one end to a corresponding side of the container, the opposite ends of both bars being adapted to be detachably secured to the rear of the vehicle; d. said container having an opening at the bottom surface thereof; e. said container having hingedly secured therein a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, all of said walls when unfolded through said opening extending vertically and being connected together to form the walls of an assembled camper; and f. two flat members hingedly secured to opposite ones of said walls, whereby said members can be butted together to form a floor for said camper. 